Commandos: Origins

While a bit too rigid and buggy at times, Commandos: Origins is a worthy enough return to nerve-wracking tactical WWII scenarios that are a blast to figure out.

71%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

optimization, stability

74% User Score Based on 609 reviews

Critic Score 66%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

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About

Commandos: Origins is a single player and multiplayer strategy game. It was developed by Claymore Game Studios and was released on October 3, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

ALARM! You have been selected for a mission which will shape the fate of the entire world. Witness the very beginning of the legendary elite WWII force in Commandos: Origins. The long-awaited sequel to the Commandos series brings you right back to the foundation of the real-time tactics genre. And to the days where Jack O’Hara, the Green Beret, and his five companions met to form the infamous unit…

Genres & Tags

Strategy

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+11

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74%

Audience ScoreBased on 609 reviews

story39 positive mentions

optimization21 negative mentions

Nostalgic gameplay that captures the essence of the original Commandos series.
Challenging missions with multiple approaches to objectives, encouraging strategic thinking.
Beautiful graphics and well-designed maps that enhance the overall experience.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and frame drops.
Lacks key features from previous titles, such as inventory management and the ability to loot enemies.
Some mechanics feel clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.

story
334 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
82%
6%
The story in the game is generally considered basic and lacks depth, with many players noting that it does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience. While the missions are set in diverse and engaging environments, they often feel disconnected, lacking a cohesive narrative or character development. Some players appreciate the nostalgic references to previous titles in the series, but overall, the storytelling is seen as a weak point, with calls for more robust character arcs and meaningful connections between missions.
- “The story is fantastic and ties beautifully with the previous entries in the series.”
- “The plot is loosely around how the commandos unit came to be over the course of 14 missions, and in-game cinematics move the story along.”
- “It's evident the developers put considerable effort into making each mission feel engaging and challenging—something veterans of the series will appreciate.”
- “The story feels mediocre, the animations are painfully bad, the interface is extremely clunky, and the absence of basic features like time warp or even the ability to throw bodies off cliffs is just baffling in 2025.”
- “The story is a joke, especially for an origins story.”
- “The missions are disconnected - there is no story besides the overall war effort.”
gameplay
154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
73%
8%
The gameplay of "Commandos: Origins" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its nostalgic elements and tactical mechanics, while others criticize it for being overly simplified compared to earlier titles in the series. While some enjoy the engaging missions and modernized controls, others find the mechanics clunky and repetitive, with numerous bugs affecting the overall experience. Overall, the game captures the essence of the original series but struggles with execution and depth, leaving some fans wanting more.
- “The tactical stealth gameplay feels both nostalgic and refreshing, with solid mechanics and engaging missions.”
- “The gameplay is exactly what I was hoping for: challenging, tactical, and super satisfying when a plan comes together.”
- “Great mechanics, nice environments, detailed maps, plenty of approaches ... a good game!”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and somewhat lacking when compared to older games in the series; it tries to mimic them but fails to do so.”
- “Commandos: Origins may have evolved graphically compared to its predecessors, but in terms of gameplay, it's a significant step backwards, especially when compared to the newer Desperados games or Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew.”
- “Several classic mechanics—like inventory swapping, looting corpses/cabinets/lockers, unique character abilities, and strategic elements—are missing or very simplified.”
graphics
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
44%
8%
The graphics in "Commandos: Origins" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visuals and attention to detail that evoke nostalgia for the original games. While some players appreciate the stunning art style and large, well-designed maps, others have reported issues with graphical glitches and performance problems. Overall, the game is seen as a significant upgrade in graphics compared to its predecessors, though some feel it still falls short in gameplay and optimization.
- “The graphics are beautiful, the voice acting is great, the characters even say their well-known quotes from the previous games.”
- “The updated visuals are stunning, and the game is packed with rich content.”
- “The art style, the color schemes, and the locations are all excellent and very faithful to the original Commandos, which I absolutely love.”
- “The game suffers from poor graphics and terrible optimization.”
- “Very poor graphics, poor missions, poor use of environment, like using enemies' weapons or clothes to disguise.”
- “The graphics are a bit outdated, but the main issue lies in the core gameplay mechanics, poor sound design, and overall lack of polish in animation.”
optimization
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
61%
28%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and glitches, particularly in demanding areas or during specific missions. While some users noted improvements after patches, others still experienced poor performance even on high-end hardware, leading to frustration. Overall, the game appears to be unoptimized, with a need for further refinement to achieve a smoother gameplay experience.
- “Personally did not experience any severe bugs or performance issues, just some minor glitches and nothing game-breaking.”
- “The dev team did a great job; of course, some polishing is needed regarding the performance, but overall it is smooth and I had a great experience so far.”
- “Performance wise, the game runs fine on a 4090 at 4k and 144 fps.”
- “This 'makes sense' when you say it out loud, but somehow performance is very bad in the game, and it tanks in some areas.”
- “The game is clearly unoptimized and the visual fidelity it offers does not justify the performance.”
- “Performance is bad on a PC that should be crushing it, constant stutters and frame drops, horrible blur and ghosting when moving the camera, even with upscaling off and motion blur off.”
stability
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, including visual issues and awkward character movements. While some users noted that these glitches are minor and do not significantly impact gameplay, others expressed frustration with more severe problems, such as crashes and unresponsive AI. Overall, the game is considered unpolished and in need of further optimization, but many players still find it enjoyable despite its flaws.
- “Runs great on Linux, too.”
- “The game doesn't have enough content and it's too buggy.”
- “Main downside is that as of August 2025 the game is still pretty buggy - camera drove me crazy in some multi-level areas, janky/awkward movement and execution of orders sometimes, weird FPS drops even on beefy hardware.”
- “There is so much that must be improved; just a buggy mess of a game and because of it, every bit of enjoyment is ruined.”
music
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
66%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it generic and lacking the memorable quality of previous titles like Commandos 2. While some appreciate the sound design as adequate, others feel it fails to enhance the gameplay experience, often describing it as background noise that detracts from the overall atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack does not meet the high expectations set by earlier entries in the series, leaving players wanting more.
- “The game is made very well - the art style is fantastic, the gameplay is engaging, and the soundtrack is perfect.”
- “In Commandos 2, the music was carrying the game and adding a feeling of urgency, making the experience very special.”
- “Despite some jank and a generic soundtrack, I wholeheartedly recommend Commandos: Origins to both veterans of the series and newcomers alike.”
- “The music was not what I expected, and I think it could be released with better music or the same famous tone without extra costs.”
- “The music also feels a bit too generic, just another batch of sweeping WWII-style epic tunes that don’t particularly stand out.”
- “The music is boring and generic and ruins the feel of being on an important mission with some tension.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The atmosphere of "Commandos Origins" has been widely praised for its nostalgic feel, successfully capturing the essence of the original games while enhancing the experience with improved visuals and audio. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to immerse players, evoking a "feel-good" vibe reminiscent of classic stealth gameplay, making it a standout aspect of the title. Overall, the developers are commended for their stellar work in recreating the iconic atmosphere that defined the series.
- “Amazing atmosphere...like back in the old days.”
- “The real triumph here is the atmosphere – the devs nailed the feel that made the series iconic.”
- “The good: atmosphere and map art has been pretty brilliant and beautiful.”
- “For me, the game has the atmosphere of old commandos with an improved interface.”
- “Not really, but it nails the old-school tactics and atmosphere!”
- “The devs even managed to capture the atmosphere of commandos very well.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by charming character dialogues and amusing scenarios, such as the absurdity of a spy not being able to wear a headmaster's clothing. While players find the humor entertaining, some aspects, like bugs causing units to behave oddly, can be both funny and frustrating. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted experience, though some players wish for more engaging conversations.
- “Commandos each have their own charm; the dialogues between them are sometimes really hilarious. I feel there could be more conversations, though.”
- “And I have to say that the spy cannot wear a headmaster's clothes, which is such a funny thing.”
- “The main weird thing about this game is that units sometimes (either a bug or intended, no idea) strafe when you're coming to melee them, either alerted or not alerted, which is funny.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Character development in "Commandos: Origins" offers a nostalgic charm with some improvements, though it remains relatively basic and lacks deep storytelling or emotional depth. While the character design and voice acting evoke the essence of the series, they do not fully reach the heights of previous installments. Overall, the game provides a satisfactory experience, but there is room for thoughtful enhancements.
- “Good level design, character design, and nostalgia is real.”
- “[h2]Character design – the soul of the series[/h2]”
- “Commandos: Origins captures the nostalgic charm of the franchise, but after spending time with the game, I feel that certain character designs and mechanics could benefit from thoughtful adjustments.”
- “They even get a bit more character development here, though don't expect a deep story or emotional drama—it's pretty basic, which is perfectly fine for this series.”
- “Voice acting and character design don’t quite hit the old highs.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a nostalgic connection that resonates with players, evoking feelings reminiscent of their childhood. While there is some character development, the overall story remains basic and lacks deep emotional drama, which some players find acceptable given the series' nature.
- “You guys made me feel like it's my childhood again.”
- “It’s clear the devs tried, but the nostalgia factor makes it hard to match the emotional connection we had with the originals.”
- “They even get a bit more character development here, though don't expect a deep story or emotional drama—it's pretty basic, which is perfectly fine for this series.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find the design and variety of missions enjoyable, leading to high replay value, others feel that forced stealth mechanics diminish the experience. With 14 lengthy missions featuring multiple objectives and co-op options, there is potential for replayability, though it may come with challenges.
- “There may be some glitches or bugs, but the design, balance of abilities, options for infiltration and combat are just so enjoyable. While I'm barely into mission 4, I suspect the replay value will be very high.”
- “There are 14 missions, which have multiple objectives and collectibles, as well as plenty of replay value.”
- “Origins has 14 long missions (about 2 hours each for an experienced player), and 13 of them are playable in co-op, which could be both frustrating and fun considering how often you would have to quick load saves with your partner.”
- “Stealth was forced, and it left no replayability behind for me.”
- “Origins has 14 long missions (about 2 hours each for an experienced player), and 13 of them are playable in co-op, although I could see that being equal parts frustrating and fun considering how often you would have to quick load saves with your partner.”
- “There may be some glitches or bugs, but the design, balance of abilities, options of infiltration and combat - it's just so enjoyable. While I'm barely into mission 4, I suspect the replay value will be very high.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly when engaging in a non-lethal play style. This repetitiveness detracts from the overall enjoyment, making gameplay feel more like a chore than a fun experience. Reducing the grind could enhance the game's fun factor and encourage more creative approaches.
- “All of this makes non-lethal play style incredibly tedious and impractical.”
- “The problem is you deal with each situation exactly the same way each time and it gets super tedious really quickly.”
- “Just feels tedious to play instead of fun.”

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66%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews

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30h Median play time

30h Average play time

15-63h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Commandos: Origins is a strategy game.

Commandos: Origins is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 30 hours playing Commandos: Origins.

Commandos: Origins was released on October 3, 2024.

Commandos: Origins was developed by Claymore Game Studios.

Commandos: Origins has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

Commandos: Origins is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Partisans 1941, War Mongrels, Desperados 3, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, Jagged Alliance 3 and others.

Commandos: Origins

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